Food Insecurity Measurement in Canada: Interpreting the Statistics

CDPAC Webinar #1

Description:

Food insecurity – the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints – is increasingly recognized as a serious public health problem. Since 2005, household food insecurity has been systematically monitored in Canada through the Canadian Community Health Survey run by Statistics Canada.

The growing use of these data by public health, community agencies, research centres, and social policy groups has been critical in building awareness and understanding of the problem of food insecurity. However, inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the reporting of data on food insecurity mask the scale and severity of this problem. The accurate and effective use of Canada’s monitoring data hinges on a clear understanding of what exactly is being measured on the Canadian Community Health Survey, what it means, and how to interpret the food insecurity statistics available on Statistics Canada’s website (CANSIM). Anyone interested in using food insecurity statistics or learning about how food insecurity is monitored in Canada is encouraged to view this webinar.

Presenters:

Valerie Tarasuk, PhD – Professor at University of Toronto and principal investigator of PROOF

Who is vulnerable to household food insecurity and what does this mean for policy and practice?

CDPAC Webinar #2

Description:

In this webinar, we delve into the question of what drives vulnerability to household food insecurity in Canada. Drawing on the wealth of Canadian data collected during more than a decade of food insecurity monitoring, we examine the social and economic circumstances of food insecure households and look at what has been found to underpin changes in household food insecurity status over time. We also discuss the relationship between food insecurity and health, considering the evidence of a bidirectional relationship for some conditions. The interpretation of these findings by Dietitians of Canada in their recent Position Statement and Recommendations – Addressing Household Food Insecurity in Canada are also shared as a platform for policy and practice recommendations.

The following are links to the research abstracts. If you are looking for the full articles, please email proof@utoronto.ca

Fafard St-Germain AA, Tarasuk V. High vulnerability to household food insecurity in a sample of Canadian renter households in government-subsidized housing. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2017; 108(2)

How does food insecurity relate to health and what are the implications for health care providers?

CDPAC Webinar #3

Description:

In this webinar, we examine evidence of the impact of food insecurity on individuals’ mental and physical health and the financial burden food insecurity poses for our healthcare system. Although food insecurity is associated with dietary compromise, its effects on health extend beyond those associated with poor nutrition. We discuss the complex relationship between food insecurity and health, considering the evidence of a bidirectional relationship for some conditions and disentangling the relation between food insecurity and malnutrition. Finally, we examine the implications of this body of research for practice, particularly considering the challenges that arise in providing care to patients who are experiencing food insecurity.